Geology Activities

DIY Edible Soil Layers

Soils are composed of multiple layers or horizons that lead to distinct characteristics or soil profiles that we are able to study. In this activity students create these different soil layers with candy to understand how each layer plays a role in supporting plant and animal life.

 

Grow Your Own Stalactites

Stalactites are mineral formations that grow in caves, hot springs, and even bridges. In this activity students will form their own stalactites to observe how the build up mineral deposits grow leading to these amazing mineral formations.

 

Model the Rock Cycle

In this activity, students will observe the rock cycle going from sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous rock. This process will be done by mixing crayon shavings and subjecting them to heat to observe how they mix.

Grow Your Own Stalactites

Stalactites are mineral formations that grow in caves, hot springs, and even bridges. In this activity students will form their own stalactites to observe how the build up mineral deposits grow leading to these amazing mineral formations.

 

Glaciers, Water, and Wind, Oh My!

In this activity, students will explore different forms of erosion that include chemical, water, wind, glacier, and temperature. Students will build stations that simulate each type of erosion on rocks and minerals. They will then observe how each type of erosion affects these landforms.

 

Single Serving Volcanism

Within the earth’s crust exists pools of magma. These pools can then be forced up through tectonic plates leading to subsurface magmatism and volcanism leading to the formation of certain mountain ranges. In this activity students will observe this formation with the use of Jell-O and pudding.

Take-out Lid 3D Topographic Map Model

Topographic maps are a useful tool utilized by scientists to observe elevation changes based on the layers of rock formations. In this activity, students will design their own 3D model topographic maps where they’ll be able to observe the many layers that make up land formations.

 

Make Your Own Seismograph

Seismographs are a common tool used by scientists to study and monitor earthquake activity. In this activity, students will build and test their own seismographs to understand how seismograph data is interpreted.

 

Shaky Sediments

One of the most dangerous aspects of earthquakes is ground failure where the soil in the ground loosens leading to liquefaction. In this activity students will observe this phenomenon through the movement of objects in soils when shaken and its effects on supporting structures.